A Chinese Christian lawyer has been detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), prompting fears he could face persecution if deported.
Wu Shaoping claimed asylum in America in 2020, having entered the country on a tourist visa after fleeing a crackdown on human rights lawyers by the Chinese Communist Party. He is still awaiting a decision.
ICE officers detained Wu in Pennsylvania, while delivering parcels for Amazon last week. He worked as a courier while still advocating for those facing oppression.
Wu produced papers for the ICE officers proving he was in the country legally awaiting the outcome of his case, according to his friend Shi Minglei via The Guardian. He was then arrested and taken to a detention facility.
Bob Fu, a pastor and founder of persecution watchdog China Aid, posted on X: “It is ICE agents who violated the law. Lawyer Wu Shaoping should be released immediately without further delay.”
Wu advocated for persecuted religious minorities in China. Before fleeing the country, he attended a meeting of human rights activists in Xiamen, after which several high-profile lawyers were jailed.